Today is the first Wednesday in three months that I didn't have to go into the clinic for a chemo infusion, and I am so happy about that. Here's the thing about chemo that most people don't know unless they've experienced it or been close to a loved one who has experienced it. The worst day is usually not the day you have the infusion (unless you have some kind of reaction). That day can be a bit inconvenient and long, but generally I felt okay on that day. Even the day after chemo was usually a pretty good day for me. It's the days that that follow chemo that are difficult days. That's when the side effects kick in. And for me, because I was a bit prone to reactions during the process, they filled me with a lot of extra drugs the day before and the day of chemo to get me through the infusion. Every one of those drugs had their own side effects. So, I spent the rest of the time leading up to the next infusion battling side effects and trying to get my strength back a little so I could do it all over again.
Today, I do not have to do it all over again. That is a relief, and I'm grateful to God for it. And did I mention, I'm so happy!
It will probably be awhile before the side effects settle down. I haven't been able to smell anything for three months, which is a very odd experience. Literally, I do not smell anything. And I taste very little, which continues to make eating difficult for me. Oh yeah, and I don't have any hair. Most people don't realize that it's not just the hair on your head that you lose. It is all of your hair. I don't really miss the hair under my arms or the leg hair, but I do miss eyebrows and eyelashes. Eyelashes are not just decorative. They are functional. It's a bit difficult keeping a pair of contact lenses in your eyes without eyelashes. Trust me on this.
I've heard from my oncology team and several new friends who have gone through similar treatment that it can take 3-6 months for the hair on your head, taste, and smell to return. Encouragingly, I've heard that the eyelashes are the fastest to come back. That's an upside. My contacts will appreciate it.
There's a bit of road to travel in this journey, but progress has been made. God is good!
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